Suchitra Sen mourned in Pabna

Ahmed Humayun Kabir Topu, Pabna

Pabna residents are deeply shocked at the demise of the legendary actress Suchitra Sen who hailed from Pabna. The world has lost the queen of filmdom but the people of Pabna have lost their most famous daughter of the district, speakers said at a condolence meeting held at the Pabna Press club auditorium on Friday night. Organised by Suchitra Sen Smrity Shangrkhan Parishad (SSSSP), the condolence meeting recalled the contribution of Sen to the world of films. President of SSSSP, Pabna Md. Saidul Haque Chunnu chaired the meeting. Cultural activists, journalists and a cross section of the society were present. Sen was born on April 6, 1931 at her maternal grandfather's village Bhangabari of Belkuchi upazila under Greater Pabna. She spent her childhood and her youth at her father's village Gopalpur in Pabna town before leaving the country in 1947. Sen's home was grabbed by Imam Gazzali School, a pro-Jamaat institution three decades ago and there is no sign that the estate will be recovered from the illegal occupants due to a prolonged legal battle. People of the district have staged demonstrations to call for the restoration of historic house from Jamaat's hands. The restoration of Sen's house is not merely a local demand but a national demand as well, said the speakers. They advanced the view that the government should set up an archive or museum at Sen's ancestral home. Among the speakers were, secretary of SSSSP Dr. Ram Dulal Bhoumik, veteran journalist Ronaish Maitra, Anwarul Haque, president of Pabna Press Club Shibojit Nag, principal of Shahid Shadhn Music College Abdul Matin Khan, president of Pabna Drama Circle Sirajul Islam Hira, secretary of Ekushey Boimela Udzpan Parishad Zakir Hossain and headmaster of Pabna Government Girls High School Aliza Khatun.